Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Kansas (Battleship # 21, later BB-21), 1907-1924

USS Kansas, a 16,000-ton Connecticut
class battleship built at Camden, New Jersey, was commissioned
in April 1907. After a shakedown cruise off the east coast, she
joined the Atlantic Fleet's battleships in Hampton Roads, Virginia,
in time to take part in the cruise around the World that began
in December 1907. For the next fifteen months, Kansas and
her sister battleships cruised around South America to the U.S.
west coast, then steamed across the Pacific to visit Hawaii, New
Zealand, Australia, the Philippines and Japan. Continuing by way
of the Indian Ocean, they called on Ceylon, transited the Suez
Canal, passed through the Mediterranean and crossed the Atlantic
to return to Hampton Roads in late February 1909.

At the end of this epic voyage, Kansas began an overhaul
that greatly changed her appearance. She emerged with two new
"cage" masts and grey paint in place of the previous
"white and buff". During the next eight years, she mainly
operated with the battle fleet in U.S. and Caribbean waters, but
also made three trans-Atlantic cruises. In late 1911, Kansas
called on ports in France and England. The next spring, she went
to the Baltic and in 1913 visited Italy. In a diplomatic mission
in July 1914, the battleship transported the body of the late
Venezuelan Minister back to his country for burial.

After the United States entered World War I in April 1917,
Kansas served in training and escort roles until the conflict's
end in November 1918. Next assigned work as a troop
transport, she made five round-trips to France from then until
mid-1919, helping to bring home veterans of the "Great War".
In June 1920, Kansas passed through the Panama Canal to
the Pacific, taking Naval Academy midshipmen on a training cruise
that reached as far west as Hawaii. Returning to the Pacific in
October 1920, she steamed to Samoa and Hawaii. She made a final
voyage to Europe on a midshipmen's training cruise in mid-1921.
Kansas was inactive after the conclusion of that trip.
Decommissioned in December 1921, she was stricken from the Navy
list in 1923 and broken up in 1924.

In a French port, probably Brest, during a post-World War I trooping
voyage, circa January-June 1919.
Note French sailing lugger in the foreground, with number C1667
on her mainsail.Kansas' seven-inch broadside guns have been removed.
Battleships in the distance are: USS New Hampshire (left)
and USS Connecticut (right).

Courtesy of Paul Silverstone, 1982.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 58KB; 740 x 500 pixels

Photo #: NH 92091

U.S. Atlantic Fleet Battleships

Steaming in column, probably while departing Hampton Roads, Virginia,
at the start of their cruise around the World, December 1907.
Photographed by C.E. Waterman, Hampton, Va.
USS Kansas (Battleship # 21) is at left, followed by USS
Vermont (Battleship # 20).

Collection of Roy D. France.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 490 pixels

Note: for comments concerning alternative dates and locations
for this photograph, see: Photo
#: NH 59537 (NH 92091 is a cropped version of NH 59537).